§1The market
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metropolitan statistical area had 25 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 69% of Arizona's 36. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 19th by count.
That is up from 21 in 2020 (+19.0%).
BLS disclosed employment of 483 for 2024, with average annual pay of $53,799, against $52,974 statewide and $53,506 nationally.
3 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the West Coast less California (PADD 5) region averaged $6.567 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21 | 443 | $38,909 |
| 2021 | 21 | 441 | $42,596 |
| 2022 | 18 | 418 | $50,611 |
| 2023 | 22 | 448 | $52,102 |
| 2024 | 25 | 483 | $53,799 |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 25 plants, the Phoenix, AZ area can usually support a local RFQ with several bidders inside a short delivery radius. An establishment is a location, not a company, so two plants may belong to one supplier.
The nearest metro clusters in neighbouring states: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (116), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (90), San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (19), Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA (17).